Okay, the site has been populated with some useful pages, and blank character sheets are up. Don't feel like you have to use them, same with the inventory pages there. If you want to, by all means, but it's more important to have that information up to date on the Paizo alias than the website. There are some other useful pages, however.
One page is the 4710 Calendar, which is a spot to build timelines and keep a record of what's happened on what days, as well as see how the Golarion calendar is built for those of you who aren't as familiar with it.
There's also a page marked Casefile 1MSI001 and a "Clues" subpage. You should all be able to edit that page and should feel free to do so. Here, you can enter clues, theories on the clues, etc. You can also use the comment section to maintain a discussion of the clues outside of the table.
Establishing contacts, informants, and snitches in-game is a possibly very helpful practice for your characters. Those individuals can be entered in the "Supporting Cast" page.
Finally, please take a moment to fill out the information in the Contacts page near the top of the side bar. This is just a spot to put in your -email address and name, as well as your timezone so we can know when to likely expect a post from you.
Howdy!
Contacts entered on the MSI Site.
I can usually check the site several times during the day M-F, less so on the weekends, but at least once a day.
Just checking out the google site and noticed the section named loot logs. How is treasure and the like going to work? I don't imagine we're going to get to keep anything we take off criminals we apprehend. Will we be being paid a salary with 'bonuses' for case completion then, or how will that work?
Alright, added contact email and timezone details, and updated Simza's sheet on there. I should also mention at this point, that Simza keeps mice, and uses them for the purpose of her Natural Divination ability to give her a +4 to a save 1/day if that's okay with you Nazard? She'll have to move them to MSI headquarters (as well as a few other personal effects I should think) later on after they've worked on the case a bit.
I'll update my character sheet tonight if I remember.
So one question and an observation after checking out the google site.
What are the significance of the coloured lines on the magnimar maps?
and after having read some of the custom rules you've created there Nazard, I think I'm going to need to be taking either Alertness, Cosmopolitan, or Skill Focus: Perception at level 3 :p
Feel free to swap stuff out now if you want. It's still early.
As for the coloured lines, these maps are lifted straight from the Golarion wiki, and those maps in turn were lifted straight from AP #2 The Skinsaw Murders. The coloured lines hold some meaning in that adventure, though I think they're just major boulevards.
Hmm, well the only thing I possibly would change is her two traits, but I like the ones she has. Wouldn't want to swap a feat either, as Selective Channeling is far too awesome. I'll just have to wait to get a better Perception :) Thinking if I take Cosmopolitan the other skill is going to have to be Disguise, or Knowledge (Local), and then Dwarven and... Sylvan maybe? for the languages...
There are also regional human languages to consider, like Varisian, Shoanti, and Kellid.
Mmmm, well already got Varisian for free. There many Shoanti's in Magnimar? and Kellids I thought were a good deal to the east.
I'll have a lot of options when it comes to choices for my Linguist skill ranks.
Simza probably doesn't need to worry about languages, with Issceran being a linguist.
I think the best bet for Simza is focusing on Heal or Perception. Just a suggestion though! :)
The Shoantis were the original settlers (at least in modern times) of the area, and Chelish colonists and invaders took it from them (after some Varisians horned in in a more friendly manner), so there are still Shoanti communities in Magnimar.
Kellids are a good deal to the east, but there are some around (probably more Kellids in Magnimar than druids or other Sylvan speakers is basically my point).
Yeah I know I don't need to pick up languages, was mains looking at Cosmopolitan for the two class skills, but it also comes with two languages. As to Sylvan I know there's not likely to be many speakers, but both Rasil and Issecran can, I think she'd probably like it for it's aural appeal :) WEll see anyway, we're a good way from level 3 yet.
Cosmopolitan comes with languages...? If I missed it, I need it... I need more languages. I wish I had the Tengu racial ability that lets me learn two languages per rank of Linguist.
Living in large, exotic cities has put you in touch with many diverse civilizations, cultures, and races.
Benefit: You can speak and read two additional languages of your choice. In addition, choose two Intelligence-, Wisdom-, or Charisma-based skills. Those skills always count as class skills for you.
It's a pretty awesome feat :)
Hmm, Nazard, would it be possible to get a list of Rankings and the like for the watch? I'm afraid I'm not too knowledgeable about such things.
Well, that trait is perfect. It lets me get those human languages Issceran needs and lets me pick up Diplomacy and Sense Motive. Nazard, with your permission may I pick this up in place of Warrior of Old?
Wow, out of the four players who have rolled, no one has rolled above a 2! Vic! You are our only hope!
Cosmopolitan is a feat, not a trait. I know I said one could take a skill-improving feat instead of two traits, but I really had in mind things like Athletic or Persuasive, feats that just grant +2 bonuses to two different skills, or Skill Focus in one skill, because sometimes people want little boosts in skills for their characters that are already class skills, and the main perk of those skill-improving traits is that they make skill X a class skill, so if you already have it as a class skill, the traits are kind of a waste.
A feat like Athletic gives a +2 bonus to two skills. It's kind of like getting 4 skill ranks, except you don't net the class skill bonus without actually spending a skill rank.
Cosmopolitan nets you two languages (basically 2 skill ranks in a specific skill, Linguistics, without the other perks of that skill, like detecting or making a forgery), and lets you pick two mental skills as class skills, without getting bonuses in them, so that could net you an effective 8 skill ranks. Since you aren't getting the full effect of the skill ranks in Linguistics, let's say this feat nets an effective 7 skill ranks. It is a nicer feat than the ones like Athletic.
If we house rule it for this purpose to say it grants two languages and can pick one mental skill as a class skill, that brings it in line with what you're gaining with a feat like Athletic. The only reason I actually care in this instance is that the house rule allowing you to substitute a feat of this type for two traits, is that the feats you get to choose from are on the low end in the power spectrum.
Does that feel too agrevious?
Oi! Brainfart! I can't believe I overlooked that and thought it was a trait. I don't agree with your house rule, however. I would say that the Feat as-is is already balanced however if you felt the need to balance it, I would only reduce the languages from 2 to 1. Most traits already grant you a class skill with an associated bonus of +1 to one or two skills, or a situational +2 to one skill. When you compare these sort of traits to feats, they roughly equal out. Now, while initially traits were supposed to represent "mini feats" you can't honestly try to compare them and balance them to one another. Look at Breadth of Experience then: I can use all Knowledge skills untrained with a +2 bonus to all of them!
Edited
Oi! Brainfart! I can't believe I overlooked that and thought it was a trait. I don't agree with your house rule, however. I would say that the Feat as-is is already balanced however if you felt the need to balance it, I would only reduce the languages from 2 to 1. Most traits already grant you a class skill with an associated bonus of +1 to one or two skills, or a situational +2 to one skill. When you compare these sort of traits to feats, they roughly equal out. Now, while initially traits were supposed to represent "mini feats" you can't honestly try to compare them and balance them to one another. Look at Breadth of Experience then: I count all Knowledge skills as trained with a +2 bonus to all of them!
Edited
This is true, and I would never have allowed Bredth of Experience as a trait replacement. However, when you point out that normally, one can take two traits like that and get a possible net of 8 effective skill ranks, it just goes to show that the feats like Athletic are even worse than I originally suggested. I guess what Cosmopolitan does instead of two traits is give you the skill bonus in a different skill from the ones it makes class skills. So, Cosmopolitan is equal in powere to two traits, and stronger than feats like Athletic. Since it's two traits we're reading, though, then there shouldn't be a problem selecting Cosmopolitan as is instead of traits.
Someday, I'll have to just make a list of feats allowed for switching.
Oi! Brainfart! I can't believe I overlooked that and thought it was a trait. I don't agree with your house rule, however. I would say that the Feat as-is is already balanced however if you felt the need to balance it, I would only reduce the languages from 2 to 1. Most traits already grant you a class skill with an associated bonus of +1 to one or two skills, or a situational +2 to one skill. When you compare these sort of traits to feats, they roughly equal out. Now, while initially traits were supposed to represent "mini feats" you can't honestly try to compare them and balance them to one another. Look at Breadth of Experience then: I count all Knowledge skills as trained with a +2 bonus to all of them!
Edited
This is true, and I would never have allowed Bredth of Experience as a trait replacement. However, when you point out that normally, one can take two traits like that and get a possible net of 8 effective skill ranks, it just goes to show that the feats like Athletic are even worse than I originally suggested. I guess what Cosmopolitan does instead of two traits is give you the skill bonus in a different skill from the ones it makes class skills. So, Cosmopolitan is equal in powere to two traits, and stronger than feats like Athletic. Since it's two traits we're reading, though, then there shouldn't be a problem selecting Cosmopolitan as is instead of traits.
Someday, I'll have to just make a list of feats allowed for switching.
You're forgetting one very, very important thing: for those feats, at 10 skill ranks the bonuses increase from +2 to +4.
I haven't forgotten that. It's the only saving grace for those feats, really.
If they ALSO made the skills Class Skills, do you think that would balance them out? There's no feat in the game that does that which is weird.
I don't know. I mean, I don't think they even need to be balanced out. They provide a benefit that numbers can't quantify, namely role-playing opportunities and background development. Sure, it's sub-optimal from a mathematical standpoint, but then again,the serious optimizers are never really going to "waste" a feat slot on anything that doesn't bump their DPR or whatever.
Yep, any feat that only affects skills/languages isn't considered optimal. It doesn't mean it isn't a good feat, though. :)
A map of Irefoot Hall has been uploaded to the website library. Below is a key explaining about the different areas.
A: This used to be a grand entrance hall, all of the local businesses with entrances along the walls, identified by carved mahogany plaques. A classic piece of sculpture sits in the centre of the room, with benches provided for resting and viewing the art. Several expensive oil paintings line the wall, clearly for sale before being ruined by dust. The northwest walls have collapsed, leaving mounds of debris. Protruding from beneath several large pieces of rubble are a pair of human legs.
B: Madame Ivana’s Boutique is a shambles, her inventory destroyed. While most of its walls still stand, the silks and dresses have been completely coated in marble dust from the collapsed walls and ceiling.
C: The Cherished Chelish has sustained the most damage from the collapse. Many fine antiques (furniture, art, jewellery) lie in pieces or mangled beyond recognition. Gaps in the ceiling let in beams of dust-laden light to highlight the destruction.
D: Not so much a store front as an office, Leaps and Spells won’t be in business again any time soon. Invoices, receipts, and travel logs lie strewn about the floor, mixed with the pungent odour of exotic arcane material components.
E: All That Glitters is certainly not glittering now. While debris crunches underfoot, shafts of light from windows sparkle off of colourful gem stones mixed in with the dust and rubble.
F: Taking the least amount of damage, Kovesna’s is practically untouched by the collapse of the building around it. Thick dust coats the pieces of gold work, but a bit of polish and elbow grease (and maybe a new wall), and the gold seller could be back in business.
Just checking out the google site and noticed the section named loot logs. How is treasure and the like going to work? I don't imagine we're going to get to keep anything we take off criminals we apprehend. Will we be being paid a salary with 'bonuses' for case completion then, or how will that work?
Alright, added contact email and timezone details, and updated Simza's sheet on there. I should also mention at this point, that Simza keeps mice, and uses them for the purpose of her Natural Divination ability to give her a +4 to a save 1/day if that's okay with you Nazard? She'll have to move them to MSI headquarters (as well as a few other personal effects I should think) later on after they've worked on the case a bit.
As for compensation, nobody asked Captain Percival! I think the opening post mentions being paid 5gp per week. That will actually be 5 per level gold per week. As for keeping stuff you take off criminals or getting bonuses, I'm not the person to ask: he is! :)
Mmm hmm, well that's where there a bit of a disconnect between player and character ya see :p Simza's not concerned about such issues (until it comes up in game of course when they apprehend someone, or she has time to reflect on what proceedures they should actually be following with regards to such topics. I on the other hand, am :p Ahh well, guess we'll cross that bridge when it comes to it
Also though the matter is resolved already, some of those traits give even more than 4 equivalent ranks. The simple original traits come to mind like Mathematical Prodigy, which gives +1 to Kn: Arcana, and Kn: Engineering, as well as making one a class skill (for 5 ranks)
We should probably decide as well, just how much we want to talk about what we think is going on out of character, or if we want to keep the deductions and the like completely in character.
Nazard any particular preference for how we go about solving these cases in regards to out of character discussion?
I have just added the two sets of drag marks to the clues page of the current case(1MSI001) as well for consideration. I have a few ideas and suggestions I could make for what we should do, but they would be out of character things :p
Two options. One, discuss only in character, either while on the scene, or during downtime like carriage rides, or discuss it ooc while the scene is happening, and assume tat the characters do the discussion at the appropriate times. The first makes for a slower pace of game, though what I'd insist upon in a face to face game. I don't have a problem with the second, as it keeps the pace going in a pbp, though some players in my first game felt it meant the characters never really connected, as the long "boring" discussions (where the characters also get to know each other and how they think) happened off camera, which I can understand.
I think in character would be best, even if it takes longer. Just my 2 coppers' worth. :)
If Issceran is going to move the body, how many people are going to assist him and how many bonuses does he receive total to his Sleight of Hand check?
My gaming mentality says to discuss things out of character, but I know the first option would be a deeper experience, so I'm okay to go with that. I'll just have to keep my observations to myself for the moment until Simza's had a chance to look around.
If it gives you peace of mind, just wait another day or so as the group in the parallel game failed their Sleight of Hand check and that will all be resolved once one of the PCs posts. Then you can see how badly things may or may not turn out.
Just kidding, of course. Everybody stay out of the other game (and all you Squad Two folks, get out of here!)
ooh, ouch :s I do have an idea for how to move the body, but Simza doesn't know enough yet to suggest it :s
Issceran would suggest a system of ropes and pulleys.
Issceran would suggest a system of ropes and pulleys.
Yep, he should let everyone know that.
Issceran would suggest a system of ropes and pulleys.
That was why Simza was asking if anyone else had a better way of getting the body out.
Do we know what's going on with Vic too? He hasn't posted in 4 or 5 days.
Just a quick note on things like that Skill check: normally what I will do is put a spoiler into the post with the skill DC you need to beat. If you meet or exceed the check result, you can then open the spoiler and see the result, and if you don't make the check, no peeking. This tends to speed things up as you're not making the roll, and then waiting for me to come back online to tell you the result, but does require a certain amount of trust that you are either not going to peek, or at least not use that info to make decisions down the road.
Thanks Nazard! Good to know.
Simza (aka Peanuts) was asking about our other fighter. He hasn't posted in a while.
Yes, we need a reliable party member. So far, the four of us have been active enough.
I'll PM him. I do have another player in the wings who expressed interest.
He might have also had computer trouble. It happens more often than you'd think.
Good to know. I've joined another PbP in addition to this one, and the GM there's been doing the same. I think it's going to be even harder to resist here though :p
As to computer troubles, I can agree with that. Had my hard-drive stop working a couple weeks back, so been stuck on my laptop since while I tried to recover it and get a new one
So we're not just making skill checks, could you tell us how many and what types are required in each individual room?
Rather than making a Perception check for each room, everybody make 2 checks and I'll take the best of everybody's and apply them to the whole site.
Nazard, my last post in the Gameplay thread included a Perception check.
Should I consider that one of the two rolls (in which case I need to post one more), or should I make 2 new rolls?
That'll do for one.
Shiny!
Between Rasil and myself, I think we have the crime scene down. :)
Yep! A pair of 27's! :)